2021 Hall of Fame Inductee
Canisius College (1991)
Col. Joseph Martin commissioned from Canisius College Army ROTC in 1991. He would go on to have a distinguished 26-year career defending freedom in multiple CONUS and overseas locations to include deployments to Afghanistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Ecuador, Honduras, and Colombia.
Martin commanded some of the U.S. Army’s most prestigious units, to include the U.S. Army Parachute Team, “The Golden Knights,” representing the Army in precision aerial demonstrations and competitions across the world; the U.S. Military Free Fall School, which is responsible for all aspects of military freefall parachuting; and Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha 773, where his unit was the force of choice for difficult missions that require rapid solutions in sensitive environments.
Martin has also served as a Congressional Fellow to Senate Majority Leader where he embodied the importance of the strategic relationship between the military and the Congress at one of the highest levels of government. He dutifully served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as a legislative liaison providing a lifetime of subject matter expertise in Special Operations & Low Intensity Conflict. Martin’s apex assignment was serving as the Chief of Staff for the Deputy Director for Special Operations on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
His military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, the Special Forces Tab and Ranger Tab among numerous other decorations and badges. Additionally, he has over 700 free fall and 74 static line jumps.
Martin is a published author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He authored, Get Selected for Special Forces, assisting thousands with advice and donated proceeds to the Special Operations Warrior foundation exceeding $470,000 towards college scholarships and education counseling for children of Special Operations personnel killed in training or combat operations. In 2008, he was the Special Operations Warrior Foundation’s Volunteer of the Year.
Martin has exemplified the Warrior Ethos in not only his personal and professional life but influencing others to be better though mentorship, selfless service and teamwork.
About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame
The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.
The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.
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